Adjustable slub catcher



06L .1957 A. J. REDMOND 2,808,634

ADJUSTABLE SLUB CATCHER Filed May 6, 1955 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l m Fig.

A'udy 'J. Redmond INVENTOR.

Q -BY W Oct. 8, 1957 A. J. REDMOND ,8

ADJUSTABLE SLUB CATCII-IER Filed May 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Slieet 2 Fig.5

Aud J. Redmond y INVENTOR.

United States Patent ADJUSTABLE SLUB CATCHER Andy I. Redmond, Gastonia,N. C., assignor of fifty percent to James C. Smith, Gastonia, N. C.

Application May 6, 1955, Serial No. 506,519

Claims. (Cl. 28-64) This invention comprises novel and usefulimprovements in an adjustable slub catcher and more specifically relatesto an attachment which may be applied to various types of textilemachines for detecting the presence of slubs or excessive enlargementsof the yarn being handled by the machine.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a slub catcherwhich shall be capable of easy adjustment to catch slubs or enlargementsof various predetermined sizes in the yarn passing through the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable slubcatcher having improved means for catching slubs or other enlargementsin yarn.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a slub catcher havingvarious convenient types of adjustments whereby the device may beadapted to catch slubs of different sizes.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a preferred embodiment of a slub catcherin accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a cam adjustment for adjustingthe slub catcher to different sizes of y r Figure 4 is an endelevational view taken from the left end of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a modified construction of slub catcherin accordance with this invention;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view and arrangement of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by section line 7-7 of Figure 5 and showingmore clearly the manner for adjusting the movable anvil of the slubcatcher;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a tensioning member forming a part ofthe slub catcher of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is an end elevational view, showing in vertical section a stillfurther modified adjusting means of a slub catcher; and

Figure 10 is a detailed view taken in vertical section substantiallyupon the plane indicated by section line 1010 of Figure 7.

Referring first to Figures 1-4, it will be seen that the slub catcherillustrated therein consists of a supporting frame indicated generallyby the numeral 10 and which is adapted to be mounted as by perforatedlug 12 to any convenient portion of a textile machine, for which theservices of the slub catcher are desired.

The supporting frame at one end is provided with a pair of jaws 14 and16 having guiding surfaces whereby a strand of yarn 18 may be passedthrough a guiding eye 20 for passage through the slub catcher.

The

slub catcher is provided with conventional tensioning weights 22 forapplying tension to the strand being passed through the device, whichtensioning means may be of t a conventional design, such as that shownin the prior patent to Goodhue et al. Patent No. 2,691,810 of October19, 1954, the details of this tensioning means forming in themselves nopart of the present invention. After passing through the weighttensioning means 22, the yarn passes through a tensioning bar as semblyand a slub catcher arrangement of a construction forming the subject ofthis invention and to be now described.

Extending transversely of the frame 10 is a bar 24 upon which is secureda plate-like member 26, in any suitable manner, this bar and/or the barand plate constituting a stationary fixed anvil having a fiatsubstantially horizontally disposed plane surface which constitutes theanvil of the slub catcher.

Mounted upon the frame 10 and detachably secured thereto as by afastening bolt 28 is a supporting bracket 30 from which rises avertically extending lug or standard 32.

Extending laterally from this lug is a shaft or axle constituting apivotal support 34, which has an enlarged headed extremity 36 and whichextends transversely to ward the other side of the frame. A holder 38 isprovided with a pair of lugs 40 and 42 constituting hinges, and by meansof which the holder is journalled for pivotal movement upon the axle 34.A coiled torsion spring 41 surrounds the pivot pin 34 and is secured tothe same and to the holder whereby to yieldingly urge the holder forpivotal movement about the horizontally extending pivot pin, and towardsthe anvil. v

Carried by the holder is a yarn engagingelement consisting of a plate 44which is detachably secured to the holder as by bolts 46, and whichplate at its lower end is provided with a plurality of needles 50.

The lower ends or points of the needles are disposed in a straight row,which row is at all times in parallel relation to the surface of theanvil 26 whereby upon pivotal movement of the holder about the pivot pin34, the needles may be raised or lowered with respect to the surface ofthe anvil and thus provide a varying gap therebetween;

In order to adapt the yarn engaging elements for use with'yarns ofdiiferent size and to permit the passage of slubs of different size, itis necessary to accurately control the width of this gap or slot. Forthat purpose, there is provided an adjusting or a movement limitingelement for the holder and yarn engaging'element which adjustably limitsthe spacing of the yarn engaging elements from the anvil under theoperation of the spring All. This means preferably comprises in theembodiment illustrated a polygonal shaped cam 52 having a finger engagedhead 54 by which the cam may be rotated upon its shaft 56. The shaft 56is j-ournalled in the holder 38 in such a manner that upon rotation ofthe cam head 52, the various fiat surfaces thereof, which are eccentricwith respect to the axis of the shaft 56, may be selectively engagedwith a fiat surface 58 constituting an abutment surface on the bracket3% It will thus be seen by rotating the cam member, that variouspredetermined clearances may be provided between the needles and theanvil surface and thus provide a slot of a predetermined size which willpermit slubs or enlargements of less than that predetermined size topass through the same type adapted for operation by 'a screwdriver 62whereby the shaft 56 may be lockedinvits adjusted'position,

' It will thus be seen that the spring 41 yieldingly urges the yarnengaging element towards the: anvil, which movement is limited by theadjustment cam previously menlioned.

In order to. render .more effective. the action of the slub catchenthereis providedapair oftensioning bars 64 and 66 which are secured to. theframe 10 and extend transversely of the same infront andv to the rear ofthe anvil, and-preferably slightly above the gap-between the yarnengaging means and the anvil, whereby the yarn 18. will be helddownwardly. upon the surface of the anvil for passage through the slot.

It will be observed from Figures "1 and' 2 that the anvil and the yarnengaging vneedles extend substantially transversely of the line oftravel of the yarn through the device, and thatthe needles are inclineddownwardly and toward the source from which the yarn travels at an angleof substantially 45 with respect thereto. r

Reference is now made to Figures 5-8 and' for description of a secondembodiment in accordance with the principles of this invention.

In this embodiment the same general construction of the supporting'frame10 with its mounting lug 12 and jaws 14 and 16 with guiding eye 20 areprovided. There is further provided the weighted tensioning members 22as in the preceding embodiment.

However, in this form while an adjustable slotor clearance is providedbetween the yarn engaging elements or needles 5!) carried by the holder38 is provided, the adjustment of the slot between the same and theanvil is effected by movement of theyanvil towards the holder ratherthan by moving the holder relative to the anvil as in the precedingembodiment. For this purpose the frame is provided with a. supportingbracket 7 0 having a laterally extending pivot pin 72, upon which theholder 38 is journalled by means of its lugs 40 and 42. There is alsoprovided the spring member 41 as in the preceding embodiment whichyieldingly urges the holder towards the anvil 74. It will-be observed,however, that in this embodiment the longitudinal axes of the pin 72,the holder 38 and the anvil 74 are disposed at acute angle with respectto the line of travel of the strand 18. This angular disposition has theefiect of increasing the number of needles of the yarn engaging elementswhich will be effective to catch any slub or enlargement of the yarnpassing through the slot. 7

Inthis embodiment, as shown somewhat more clearly in Figure 7, it willbe seen that the anvil 74 consists of a cylinder having pintles ortrunnions 76 and 78 on its opposite extremities. The trunnion 76ispreferably journalled in a bore or bearing 80 in the brackets 70,while the trunnion 78 extends through a portion of the supporting frame10. The cylinder 74 is positioned eccentrically with respect to itstrunnions so that upon rotation of the cylinder and its trunnions andtheir supporting journals, the surface will be moved towards and fromthe needles 50 to thereby vary the slot or gap therebetween.

In order to adjust by rotation of the cylinder 74 the width of the slotor gap, an adjusting head 84 is secured on the end of the trunnion 78and is provided with a pin 86, which as shown in conjunction with Figure10,

'is selectively engageable in one of the series of depressions orrecesses 88 formed in the adjacent surface of a disc 90 which is securedas by a screw 92 to a portion of the support frame 10. Thus, bypositioning the screw 86 in a selected recess 88, controllable rotationmay be imparted to the cylindrical anvils 74 to thus vary the width ofthe slot and thus adjust the action of the slub catcher. I

The operation of this form of the invention, as so far described, isidentical with that previously set forth. However, there are providedguide and tensioning bars cooperating with the anvil and the yarnengaging elements. Thus, there is provided a combined guide and tensionmeans indicated generally by the numeral 96. As

shown in Figure 8, this member preferably comprises a rod-like orwire-like member bent at one end to form an eye 98 by means of which thesame is secured as through a fastening screw 100 to a portion of theframe 10. From this eye the member includes a pair of closely spacedsubstantially parallel leg members 102 and 104 which at their outer endsare provided with divergent extremities v1.06 and 108 to facilitate thepositioning of the strand 18 therebetween.

As shown in Figure 5, the member 96 is disposed with its legs 10.2 and104 in parallel relation to. the. longitudinal axis of theslot or gapbetween the needles andthe anvil, the axis of the anvil'and' the axisabout whichthe holder 38 is pivotally mounted.

There is also provided a U-shaped pair of tension bars disposed onopposite sides of the slot. Thus, a wire-like member 110 is providedhaving parallel front and rear arms 1'12 and 114, the latter beingsuitably mounted on the rear portion of the holder '38.

It should be observed that in both this embodiment as well as theembodiment of Figures 1-4, there is provided a rearward slub catcher ortension bar arrangement, the same including, a slot 116 disposed in therear end of the supporting frame 10 as shown in Figure 2, and as shownat 118 in Figure 6. The opening 118 is disposed in substantially thesame plane as that of'the slot, and is defined between the top surfaceof the end of the frame and a transversely disposed bar 120 carried bythe frame. In both the embodiments now described, it will be seen thatthere are provided at least =tour'slub catchers, these consisting ofarms 64 and 66, the slot of the slub catcher, and the slot 116 ofFigures 1-4 and the members 112, 114, 1-18 and the slot through the slubcatcher of Figures 5-7.

In this last embodiment, it will be observed that the holder has itsresiliently urged pivotal movement as in the preceding embodiment. Theonly difference as regards the holder in this embodiment is that thesame is disposed at acute angles with respect to line of travel of thisstrand of yarn. However, in this embodiment adjustment of the width ofthe slot is effected not by movement of the holder, but by movementofthe anvil.

As shown in the further'modified form of -Figure 9, it is possible toemploy a micrometer screw to effect the adjustmentof the slot. Theformof Figure 9'corresponds to the embodiment of Figures l-4, except thatinstead of the holder 38 being provided with the adjusting cam, itisprovided witha micrometer screw 130, which is loosely received in a bore132 extending vertically through the holder adjacent one end of thesame. A screw-threaded member 134 is securedtothe holder as by a screw136, and has the screw threaded therethrough. This screw is providedwith a micrometer head with suitable calibrations, whereby the relativeadjustment of the screw can be accurately determined; The screw engagesthe abutment surface'58'of'the'bracket 30 as in the embodiment ofFigures 1-4. Thus, by adjustment of the screw, the position of theholder and-consequently the width of the slot of the slub catcher maybeaccurately controlled.

- The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the .art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact constructionand operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications andequivalents-may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention as claimed. s

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A slub catcher for textile machinescomprising an elongatedframe'adapted for mounting upon a textile machine, means for guidingand'means for terlsioning a yarn during passage longitudinally of saidframe, an anvil having a smooth horizontal yarn engaging surfaceextending transversely of said" frame, a holder having a yard engagingelement extending transversely of said frame, means on said frame at oneside thereof for supporting said holder with said yarn engaging elementat a predetermined distance from said surface to provide a slot ofuniform width therebetween for passage of yarn therethrough, saidsupporting means including an axle projecting transversely of saidframe, said holder being pivoted upon said axle whereby said element maybe moved towards and from said surface to vary the width of said slot, acam rotatably mounted upon said holder, an abutment on said supportingmeans for engagement by said cam to thereby limit movement of saidelement towards said anvil, said cam having a stem journaled in saidholder and a periphery provided with a plurality of flat surfaces atdifferent distances from the axis of said stern, said flat surfaces uponrotation of the cam about the stem being selectively positioned forengagement with said abutment.

2. A slub catcher for textile machines comprising an elongated frameadapted for mounting upon a textile machine, means for guiding and meansfor tensioning a yarn during passage longitudinally of said frame, ananvil having a smooth horizontal yarn engaging surface extendingtransversely of said frame, a holder having a yarn engaging elementextending transversely of said frame, means on said frame at one sidethereof for supporting said holder with said yarn engaging element at apredetermined distance from said surface to provide a slot of uniformwidth therebetween for passage ofyarn therethrough, said supportingmeans including an axle projecting transversely of said frame, saidholder being pivoted upon said axle whereby said element may be movedtowards and from said surface to vary the width of said slot, a camrotatably mounted upon said holder, an abutment on said supporting meansfor engagement by said cam to thereby limit movement of said elementtowards said anvil, said cam having a stem journaled in said holder anda periphery provided with a plurality of flat surfaces at differentdistances from the axis of said stem, said flat surfaces upon rotationof the cam about the stem being selectively positioned for engagementwith said abutment, said stem being positioned substantially parallel tosaid axle, said cam having a finger grip portion extending to one sideof said frame.

3. A slub catcher for textile machines comprising an elongated frameadapted for mounting upon a textile machine, means for guiding and meansfor tensioning a yarn during passage longitudinally of said frame, ananvil having a smooth horizontal yarn engaging surface extendingtransversely of said frame, a holder having a yarn engaging elementextending transversely of said frame, means on said frame at one sidethereof for supporting said holder with said yarn engaging element at apredetermined distance from said surface to provide a slot of uniformwidth therebetween for passage of yarn therethrough, said supportingmeans including an axle projecting transversely of said frame, saidholder being pivoted upon said axle whereby said element may be movedtowards and from said surface to vary the width of said slot, a camrotatably mounted upon said holder, an abutment on said supporting meansfor engagement by said cam to thereby limit movement of said elementtowards said anvil, said cam having a stem journaled in said holder anda periphery provided with a plurality of flat surfaces at differentdistances from the axis of said stem, said flat surfaces upon rotationof the cam about the stem being selectively positioned for engagementwith said abutment, means on said holder for locking said cam inrotationally adjusted position about the axis of said stem.

4. A slub catcher for textile machines comprising an elongated frameadapted for mounting upon a textile machine, means for guiding and meansfor tensioning a yarn during passage longitudinally of said frame, ananvil having a smooth horizontal yarn engaging surface extendingtransversely of said frame, a holder having a yarn engaging elementextending transversely of said frame, means on said frame at one sidethereof for supporting said holder with said yarn engaging element at apredetermined distance from said surface to provide a slot of uniformwidth therebetween for passage of yarn therethrough, said supportingmeans including an axle projecting transversely of said frame, saidholder being pivoted upon said axle whereby said element may be movedtowards and from said surface to vary the width of said slot, a camrotatably mounted upon said holder, an abutment on said supporting meansfor engagement by said cam to thereby limit movement of said elementtowards said anvil, said cam having a stem journaled in said holder anda periphery provided with a plurality of flat surfaces at differentdistances from the axis of said stem, said flat surfaces upon rotationof the cam about the stern being selectively positioned for engagementwith said abutment, means on said holder for locking said cam inrotationally adjusted position about the axis of said stem, said lastmeans having operative engagement with said stem.

5. A slub catcher for textile machines comprising an elongated frameadapted for mounting upon a textile machine, means for guiding and meansfor tensioning a yarn during passage longitudinally of said frame, ananvil having a smooth horizontal yarn engaging surface extendingtransversely of said frame, a holder having a yarn engaging elementextending transversely of said frame, means on said frame at one sidethereof for supporting said holder with said yarn engaging element at apredetermined distance from said surface to provide a slot of uniformwidth therebetween for passage of yarn therethrough, said supportingmeans including an axle projecting transversely of said frame, saidholder being pivoted upon said axle whereby said element may be movedtowards and from said surface to vary the width of said slot, a camrotatably mounted upon said holder, an abutment on said supporting meansfor engagement by said cam to thereby limit movement of said elementtowards said anvil, said cam having a stem journaled in said holder anda periphery provided with a plurality of flat surfaces at differentdistances from the axis of said stem, said flat surfaces upon rotationof the cam about the stem being selectively positioned for engagementwith said abutment, said cam comprising a body composed of a regularpolygon, said stem being eccentric to the geometric center of thepolygon, the periphery of the cam constituting the sides of the polygon;

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS793,084 Mills June 27, 1905 2,002,843 Twesdall May 28, 1935 2,561,126Lewis July 17, 1951 2,654,938 Kennedy Oct. 13, 1953 2,691,810 Goodhue eta1 Oct. 19, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 123,492 Switzerland Nov. 16, 19271,070,181 France Feb. 17, 1954

